Buzz Over Small Modular Nuclear Reactors: A Closer Look at the Energy Resurgence
U.S. Nuclear Energy Resurgence Gains Momentum
Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are making waves in the USA as a potentially revolutionary source of clean energy. Here's an insider perspective on the current status, future outlook, and key advancements in this burgeoning field.
Telltale Signs of a Revival
Jeff Flock, FOX Business correspondent, recently reported from a planned Natura Resources SMR site in Texas, emphasizing the USA’srapidly escalating energy requirements and the pivotal role that SMRs could play in meeting this voracious demand.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has placed a spotlight on America's burgeoning need for more power, according to Doug Robinson, founder, and president of Natura Resources. He likened AI demand to a shark fin above the water, with the underlying need for power ever-present.
The Power of Progress
Advanced SMRs, such as the molten salt reactors developed by Natura Resources, offer a promise of small, cost-effective, safe, and dispatchable clean energy that can be deployed almost anywhere. Currently, there are two advanced nuclear reactor construction permits sanctioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission – and Natura Resources is one of them.
A Movement Gathers Steam
Twenty-five states have been proactive in supporting advanced nuclear reactor development in recent years, recognizing the growing interest in this groundbreaking technology. Some traditional nuclear reactors are also slated to reopen, with the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor in Pennsylvania set to restart in the not-too-distant future.
The Future Awaits
The future of SMRs in the USA is looking bright, propelled by factors including commercialization, export opportunities, skyrocketing energy demand, and persistent challenges that can be addressed through continued government support and policy measures.
Groundbreaking Developments
Natura Resources is just one example of the innovative approaches being pursued in the SMR sector. Their molten salt research reactor at Abilene Christian University is a testament to the progress being made toward practical implementation of such advanced reactor designs. The SMR revolution is well underway in the USA, marking a significant departure from traditional nuclear power generation.
[1] Congressional Research Service, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the United States: Overview, Policy Questions, and Potential Implications, May 18, 2022.[2] Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Small Modular Reactors: A New Nuclear Option for America's Energy Future, June 2022.[3] Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Accessed March 17, 2023.[4] Energy Innovation, The Future of Nuclear Energy in America: An Assessment of the Opportunities for Small Modular Reactors, May 2022.
- Doug Robinson, the founder and president of Natura Resources, emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) demand in America is like a shark fin above the water, highlighting the underlying need for more power.
- Twenty-five states in the USA have supported advanced nuclear reactor development in recent years, recognizing the growing interest in this groundbreaking technology.
- Natura Resources is one of the two advanced nuclear reactor construction projects sanctioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, showcasing the progress being made in Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).
- The Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor in Pennsylvania is slated to reopen, indicating a resurgence in the traditional nuclear reactor industry.
